Malleable retractor

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to a malleable and integrally illuminated surgical retractor. In an embodiment, a malleable steel strip, having a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm, may form a substrate. An elastically deformable layer, such as a polymeric layer, may be secured to the malleable steel strip. One or more meandering conductive lines, spiral conductors, or conductive inks, which may elongate and/or compress during bending of the substrate, may be secured to the TPU layer. The one or more meandering conductive lines, spiral conductors, or conductive inks may operate to couple current from an electronics module to one or more malleable illumination sources comprising, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This disclosure relates generally to the field of surgical devices and,more particularly, to one or more approaches toward directingillumination from a surgical device towards a surgical area of interest.

2. Information

While performing a surgical procedure, a surgeon may utilize aretractor, which may allow the surgeon to draw lateral and deep layersof tissue away from underlying features and/or structures. Responsive tothe drawing or retracting of lateral and deep layers away fromunderlying features, a surgeon may focus his or her attention on repair,manipulation, and/or replacement of body organs, and/or other anatomicalstructures including, but not limited to, soft tissue, nerve, venous,arterial, tendinous, and bony structures, and/or may perform numerousother surgical procedures.

However, at times, a surgical instrument and/or other operating roomequipment may give rise to shadowing of light from an overhead sourceintended to illuminate a surgical area of interest. Other sources ofblockage or limiting of overhead light may include the surgeon's head,body, and/or hands, for example, and/or one or more body parts of anassistant. Further, other instrumentation in and around the surgicalfield may obscure the surgical field from the surgeon's view.Accordingly, a surgeon may be required to reposition surgicalinstruments and/or overhead lighting or may be required to wear aheadlamp so as to provide a clear and/or illuminated view of a surgicalarea of interest.

One approach toward achieving better control over illumination of asurgical area of interest may include use of fiber-optic conduits in asurgical retractor so as to provide local illumination of, for example,a surgical field (or portion thereof). However, fiber-optics-basedilluminated surgical retractors may be attached to cables, such aselectrical and/or fiber-optic cables, which may impede a surgeon'sfreedom to orient a surgical retractor into a desired position.Additionally, fiber-optics-based retractors may direct illuminationpredominately along the longer dimension of a surgical retractor,without providing sufficient illumination directly beneath theretractor. Further, fiber-optics-based retractors may comprise rigidstructures that may be unable to conform to a curvature dictated by astructure or feature within a surgical area of interest so as to permitillumination within, for example, small openings of a human or animalbody.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

The present invention is directed to illuminated malleable surgicalretractors, including integrally-illuminated malleable surgicalretractors, and methods for making and using the same.

In an embodiment, a surgical retractor embodying features of the presentinvention, comprises a malleable substrate, such as a strip having aproximal end and a distal with a distal portion. The malleable stripbeing capable of a first unbent configuration and a second bentconfiguration having a bend radius of less than about 2.0 cm. However,in an embodiment the bend radius may be less than about 1.0 cm.

The malleable strip may comprise shapeable steel, stainless steel, asteel alloy, aluminum, titanium, plastic, ceramic, fluidized metal, orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, the substrate comprises anominal thickness approximately in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0mm.

The retractor may further comprise an insulative layer, such as anelastically deformable layer, which may comprise a polymeric layer,disposed over the malleable strip and a planar illumination sourcedisposed over the insulative layer at the distal portion of the strip.In embodiments, the insulative layer is a stretchable layer, such as anelastically deformable polymeric layer, and/or may comprise silicone,thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), syntheticpolymer, transparent ceramic material, transparent metal, flexibleglass, bio-inert acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or combinationsthereof. The insulative material, is preferably selected so as topermit, in operation, the bending of the retractor without separation ofthe insulative material from the malleable strip.

The planar illumination source may comprise one or more light-emittingdiodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), bioluminescentsources, or any other type of light-emitting electronic component, whichmay serve to illuminate a surgical field while restricting illuminationof surrounding areas.

In some embodiments, a combined thickness of the malleable strip, theinsulative layer, and the planar illumination source is less than about2.0 mm.

In an embodiment, one or more light-adjusting layers may be disposedover the planar illumination source. The light adjusting layer maycomprise one or more light-diffusing layers or a light-scattering layer,or a combination thereof.

In exemplary embodiments, the light-diffusing layer may comprise a foilthat operates to redirect a fraction (e.g., approximately in the rangeof 3.0%-8.0%) of light generated by the one or more planar illuminationsources. Redirected light may be dispersed over a wide viewing angle,which may permit a more widely-dispersed distribution of light from oneor more of planar illumination sources. In exemplary embodiments, alight-diffusing layer may comprise phosphorus particles, organicfluorescent dye, titanium dioxide particles, or may comprise any otherscattering media, and claimed subject matter is not limited in thisrespect.

In an embodiment the illumination source (e.g., LED) may be coupled toan optical waveguide comprising a scattering material, such asphosphorus particles, titanium dioxide particles, organic fluorescentdye, or other scattering media, which may function to redirect incominglight from the illumination sources towards a surgical field ofinterest.

The surgical retractor may further comprise, at a handle portiondisposed at a proximal end of the strip, opposite the distal end of theflexible strip, a flexible charge storage module or a flexible chargedispensing module, or a combination thereof. The flexible charge storagemodule or the flexible charge dispensing module, or the combinationthereof, utilizing any one of suitable charge storage technologies suchas layered capacitors, fuel cells, electrochemical storage, and/orinductively charged energy storage components.

In an embodiment, the malleable surgical retractor may further comprisean electrical conductor disposed over the insulative layer to convey anelectrical current from the flexible charge storage/charge dispensingmodule to the planar illumination source. The electrical conductor maycomprise a flexible elongate conductive element having a firstlongitudinal dimension and a second longitudinal dimension being up toat least about 120.0% of the first longitudinal dimension. Theelectrical conductor may further comprise conductive pads disposed atone or more of proximal and distal end portions of the flexible elongateconductive element, wherein the conductive pads disposed at the one ormore of the proximal and distal end portions are in electricalcommunication with each other.

The flexible elongate conductive element may comprise a meanderingconductive element, a spiral-shaped element or a conductive ink, or anycombination thereof.

The flexible elongate conductive element may be disposed over ordirectly on the insulative material and may be secured by any suitablemeans, and may be for example disposed, affixed, adhered, overlaid,deposited (e.g., vapor deposition).

In an embodiment, a control element in electrical communication with theflexible charge storage/charge dispensing module may be disposed at theproximal end of the strip to regulate the electrical power conveyed froma charge storage/charge dispensing module to the planar illuminationsource.

Methods embodying features of the present invention for making malleableretractors embodying features of the present invention, may comprisedisposing an insulative layer on or over a malleable strip having aproximal portion and a distal portion. The malleable retractor may becapable of comprising a first unbent configuration and a second bentconfiguration having a bend radius of about 0.75 cm to about 2.0 cm,disposing an electrical conductor over at least a portion of theinsulative layer, and disposing an illumination source at the distalportion of the malleable strip and in electrical communication with theflexible conductor.

The method may further comprise disposing a light-adjusting layer overthe illumination source. The method may further comprise disposing aflexible charge storage module, a flexible charge dispensing module, ora combination thereof, at a proximal portion of a malleable strip. Anelectrical conductor to convey current from the flexible charge storagemodule, the flexible charge dispensing module, or the combinationthereof to the illumination source may comprise a flexible elongateconductive element comprising a meandering conductive line, aspiral-shaped conductor, a conductive ink, or a combination thereof. Theflexible elongate conductive element has a first longitudinal dimensionand a second longitudinal dimension comprising up to at least 120.0% ofthe first dimension.

In an embodiment for implementing the method, the illumination sourcemay comprise one or more organic light-emitting diodes, one or morelight-emitting diodes, one or more bio-luminescent sources, or anycombination thereof.

It should be understood that the aforementioned implementations aremerely example implementations, and that claimed subject matter is notnecessarily limited to any particular aspect of these exampleimplementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctlyclaimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both asto organization and/or method of operation, together with objects,features, and/or advantages thereof, it may best be understood byreference to the following detailed description if read with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a surgical retractor in use during asurgical procedure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a malleable and integrally-illuminatedsurgical retractor according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a malleable and integrally-illuminatedsurgical retractor showing flexibility of an illuminating end portionand a conformal handgrip according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a malleable and integrally-illuminatedsurgical retractor according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5B are illustrations showing extension and compression ofsurfaces brought about by bending a malleable and integrally-illuminateda surgical retractor according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 6A-6B are illustrations showing portions of a malleable andintegrally-illuminated a surgical retractor according to embodiments;

FIGS. 7A-7H is an illustration showing layers of a malleable andintegrally-illuminated surgical retractor according to embodiments; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a method of constructing a malleable andintegrally-illuminated surgical retractor according to an embodiment.

Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designatelike parts throughout to indicate corresponding and/or analogouscomponents. It will be appreciated that components illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, such as for simplicityand/or clarity of illustration. For example, dimensions of somecomponents may be exaggerated relative to other components. Further, itis to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. Furthermore,structural and/or other changes may be made without departing fromclaimed subject matter. It should also be noted that directions and/orreferences, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be usedto facilitate discussion of drawings and/or are not intended to restrictapplication of claimed subject matter. Therefore, the following detaileddescription is not to be taken to limit claimed subject matter and/orequivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “one feature,”“one embodiment,” “an example,” “a feature,” or “an embodiment” meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the feature, example or embodiment is included in atleast one feature, example or embodiment of claimed subject matter.Thus, appearances of the phrase “in one example,” “an example,” “in onefeature,” a feature,” “an embodiment,” or “in one embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same feature, example, or embodiment. Furthermore, particularfeatures, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or moreexamples, features, or embodiments.

As previously described, a surgeon may utilize a surgical retractor todraw or pull away lateral and deep layers of tissue to expose one ormore underlying features of, for example, a human or animal body.Retraction of lateral and deep layers may permit the surgeon and/orother medical personnel to perform surgical procedures, for example,deep within a human or animal body. However, on occasion, polished,sterilized surgical instruments, such as a retractor, may produce glarefrom overhead illumination sources. Responsive to observing such glare,a surgeon may be required to shift his or her position and/or repositionone or more surgical instruments. Such adjustment of a surgeon'sposition and/or repositioning of surgical instruments may reduce asurgeon's efficiency, for example, and may increase the time required tocomplete a surgical procedure, which may lead to potentially increasedpostoperative complications associated with prolonged operating times,for example, or may render a procedure more technically difficult.

In some instances, such as during very precise surgical proceduresinvolving fine structures of the human body, an amount of overhead lightilluminating a surgical area may be increased so as to permit thesurgeon to clearly view the surgical area and to improve surgical safetyby, for example, reducing surgeon error, such as inadvertently cutting,suturing, and/or damaging vital anatomical structures. However, in theseinstances, and others, such an increase in ambient and/or overheadillumination may exacerbate glare produced by surgical instruments ormay over illuminate areas surrounding the surgical incision. Presence ofadditional glare may, in turn, require additional repositioning of oneor more surgical instruments, for example, or dimming the lights belowacceptable levels to reduce glare, for example.

In embodiments, use of a malleable and integrally illuminated surgicalretractor may reduce a need for ambient surgical lighting, such asoverhead lighting, thus reducing or eliminating glare introduced byoverhead and/or ambient surgical lighting as well as reducing shadowingof a surgical area of interest. Such reduction or elimination of glareentirely, may, for example, reduce annoying eyestrain experienced by asurgeon, as well as reduce the need to reposition surgical instrumentsduring surgical procedures, for example. Accordingly, embodiments maybring about a reduction in the time required to perform a surgicalprocedure as well as an increase in a surgeon's comfort and efficiency.

In embodiments, a bend radius may bring about a capability to form atightly curved retractor, which may thereby allow a surgeon to operateutilizing smaller incisions. Additionally, a tightly curved retractormay allow the surgeon to “toe-in” a retractor, in which the angularposition of the retractor may be adjusted so as to penetrate furtherinto tissue nearby the surgical field of interest. Further, a malleablesurgical retractor may permit a surgeon to bend, curve, or bow theretractor in multiple places, thereby permitting the retractor toperform within tight confines.

In addition, use of a malleable and integrally illuminated surgicalretractor may permit a surgeon to conform the retractor to accord to acomplex curvature dictated by an anatomical structure or feature topermit illumination within, for example, small openings of a human oranimal body. In one instance, to perform surgery involving areas behind(e.g., posterior to) the human eye may require a retractor to bendaround processes of the zygomatic bone of the human skull so thatregions posterior to the human eyeball may be viewed. In other instancesinvolving thoracic surgery, it may be advantageous for a surgeon toposition a retractor in between individual human ribs. In theseinstances, and potentially many others, an integrally illuminatedsurgical retractor, comprising a high degree of flexibility, may beparticularly advantageous to surgeons, patients, and others.

A malleable and integrally illuminated surgical retractor may permitprecise illumination of particular structures within tightly confinedsurgical areas of interest in addition to reducing glare introduced byreflections from various overhead and/or ambient surgical lightingsystems. In an example embodiment, an illuminating surgical retractormay comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs), bioluminescent sources, or may comprise any other type oflight-emitting electronic component, which may serve to illuminate asurgical field while restricting illumination of surrounding areas. Inembodiments, an illuminating surgical retractor may comprise a singlecontrol element, positioned near a handle or a grip of the device, whichmay permit a surgeon to control intensity of light from, for example,LEDs and/or OLEDs.

Flexibility of an integrally illuminated surgical retractor may be madepossible through the use of one or more meandering conductive linessecured or disposed, such as via depositing, affixing, or adhering, forexample, to a surface of the retractor comprising a stainless steelstrip. In embodiments, a meandering conductive material may comprise anelastic property that permits repeated expansion and contraction whileretaining conductive properties. Additionally, by utilizing LEDs and/orOLEDs, an electric current (such as required to provide primary power toone or more LEDs and/or OLEDs) may be maintained at a relatively lowlevel, thereby requiring only limited current be conveyed by one or moremeandering conductive lines. In addition, at least partially due to theuse of substantially planar OLEDs and planar meandering conductivelines, a malleable and integrally illuminated surgical retractor maycomprise a thickness approximately in the range of 1.0 mm.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a surgical retractor in use during asurgical procedure. As shown in FIG. 1, surgeon's hand 110 may indicateuse of a surgeon or medical assistant, for example, operating surgicalretractor 120, such as during a surgical procedure to draw or retractone or more layers of tissue. Responsive to retraction of lateral anddeep layers of tissue, for example, using blade portion 170, surgicalfield 160 may be exposed, for example, to be viewed by a surgeon,represented by eye 115. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, overheadlight 150 may bring about glare, for example, produced by polishedsurfaces of the surgical retractor 120. Such glare may represent anuisance to a surgeon and/or other medical personnel present in anoperating room. In addition, surgical instrument 114, which may comprisea clamp, a pair of forceps, or other surgical utensil, may represent anadditional source of nuisance glare to the surgeon and/or otherpersonnel in an operating room, for example. In addition to sources ofglare produced by polished surgical instruments, hands or other limbs ofoperating room personnel may bring about shadowing of portions of thesurgical field. For example, FIG. 1 shows shadowing by a limb, such ashand 112, of an assistant, for example, which may further occlude orhinder a surgeon's clear vision of surgical field, such as surgicalfield 160.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a malleable and integrally illuminatedsurgical retractor according to an embodiment 200. In FIG. 2, an endportion may comprise illumination source 210, which may bring aboutillumination of surgical field 262 in an absence of overhead lights,such as overhead light 150 of FIG. 1. In embodiment 200, an end portionof the surgical retractor, opposite handle portion 205, may comprise anOLED, solid-state LED, or may comprise an array of solid-state LEDs andor OLEDs. The end portion of the surgical retractor may additionallycomprise a light diffuser, or other type of light-adjusting element,disposed over the illumination source, which may operate to increaseuniformity and/or to increase scattering of distributed light emanatingfrom the LED and/or OLED illumination source. In particular embodiments,flexible conductor 230, which may comprise a meandering or spiral-shapedconductor, described further herein, may provide electrical power toillumination source 210 while permitting the malleable and integrallyilluminated surgical retractor to be formed or bent into virtually anyshape. Malleable substrate 240, to which flexible conductor 230 andillumination source 210 may be secured, such as via depositing,adhering, affixing, and so forth, may comprise a shapeable plastic or athin strip of stainless steel, steel alloy, aluminum, titanium, or othermetal or metal alloy, or combinations of metals to form a task-specificmaterial having a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm,for example. In other embodiments, malleable substrate may comprise aplastic, ceramic, elastomeric material, and/or a fluidized metal, forexample. In embodiments, malleable substrate 240 may permit flexing ofthe surgical retractor to a bend radius of as little as 1.0 cm, forexample. Aspects of other embodiments of a surgical retractor thataccord with embodiment 200 are explained further herein.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a malleable and integrally illuminatedsurgical retractor showing flexibility of an illuminating end portionand a conformal handgrip according to an embodiment 300. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 3, handle portion 205A may be formed or molded to comprisefeatures to mate with the shape of a human hand, so as to permit asurgeon to comfortably grip handle portion 205 during surgicalprocedures. At an opposite end of handle portion 205A, illuminationsource 210 is shown as being malleable, thereby permitting shaping of anend portion of handle 205 to permit illumination of tight crevices, suchas crevice 262, within a human or animal body, for example, or to bendaround anatomical structures during surgical procedures.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a malleable and integrally illuminatedsurgical retractor according to an embodiment 400. In embodiment 400, ahandle portion 405 comprises a control element 430, which may permit asurgeon, for example, to control the on/off state or to otherwisecontrol electrical powered delivered to one or more of illuminationsources 410. For example, in a particular embodiment, depressing controlelement 430 may activate one or more of illumination sources 410 at afirst level of brightness. Depressing control element 430 a second timemay activate illumination sources 410 at a second level of brightness.Depressing control element 430 additional times may result in furtherincremental steps in the brightness of illumination sources 410. In aparticular embodiment, responsive to illumination sources 410 attaininga relatively high level of brightness, depressing control element anadditional time may return illumination sources 410 to a deactivated(e.g., “off”) state.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a malleable and integrally illuminatedsurgical retractor may comprise a shapeable plastic or a thin metallicstrip comprising stainless steel or any other metal/metal alloy,comprising a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm, forexample. In embodiments, a layer of stretchable insulative material,such as silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or any type ofelastically deformable material (which may comprise a polymeric layer,for example), may be formed or fabricated on or over the malleable stripso as to permit the bending of the retractor without separation of theinsulative material from the malleable strip. In this context, the term“elastically deformable material,” such as may be formed or fabricatedon or over the malleable strip is defined as a material comprising asubstantial portion of a polymeric elastically deformable material, suchas silicone, TPU, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), synthetic polymer,transparent ceramic material, transparent metal, flexible glass,bio-inert acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or combinationsthereof. Meandering conductor line 420, which may be disposed ordeposited over the stretchable insulative material, may provide anelectrical connection between control element 430 and illuminationsources 410 while the malleable and integrally-illuminated surgicalretractor of embodiment 400 is undergoing bending or flexion, such asduring surgical procedures.

In one example, as shown in more detail in FIG. 5A, during bending ofthe retractor of embodiment 400 in a first (downward direction as shownin FIG. 4), such as from a flattened or unbent state, meanderingconductor line 420 may comprise an elastic quality so as to the capableof an increase in length (e.g., elongated) of up to 20.0%. Additionally,in certain embodiments, meandering conductor line 420 may comprise aquality of even greater elasticity, such as being capable of an increasein length by greater amounts, such as 25.0%, 30.0%, or 40.0%, forexample. Further, in particular embodiments, during bending of theretractor of embodiment 400 in a second (upward direction as shown inFIG. 4), such as from a flattened or unbent state, meandering conductorline 420 may be capable of being decreased in length (e.g., compressed)up to 20.0%. Additionally, in certain embodiments, meandering conductorline 420 may be capable of being compressed in length by greateramounts, such as 25.0%, 30.0%, or 40.0%, for example. It should be notedthat meandering conductor line 420 may be capable of greater amounts ofelongation/compression, and claimed subject matter is not limited inthis respect.

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing extension and compression of surfacesbrought about by bending a portion of malleable and integrallyilluminated a surgical retractor according to embodiment 500. As shownin FIG. 5A, meandering conductor line 530 is disposed or deposited on asurface 510 of a portion of a surgical retractor. Thus, responsive tobending or shaping of a portion of a malleable andintegrally-illuminated surgical retractor, such as to comprise a bendradius of, for example, less than 1.0 cm, meandering conductor line 530may undergo stretching or elongation, relative to a flattened or unbentstate. In addition, during bending or shaping of the portion of amalleable and integrally illuminated retractor, surface 520 may undergocompression relative to a flattened or unbent state. In embodiments, aportion of the retractor may be bent or shaped to comprise a differentbend radius, such as, for example, less than 1.0 cm, such as 0.75 cm, ormay be bent or shaped to comprise a bend radius of greater than 1.0 cm,such as 2.0 cm, 3.0 cm, etc. In embodiments, if a portion of a surgicalretractor is shaped so as to comprise a bend radius of, for example, 1.0cm, elongation of a meandering conductor line, such as meanderingconductor line 420, for example, of approximately 20.0% may occur. Inother embodiments, if a portion of a surgical retractor is shaped so asto comprise a bend radius of 0.75 cm (7.5 mm) elongation of a meanderingconductor line, such as meandering conductor line 420, for example, ofapproximately 25.0% may occur. However, claimed subject matter is notlimited in this respect.

Responsive to bending or shaping of a portion of a malleable andintegrally illuminated surgical retractor of embodiment 500 in adirection opposite the direction shown in FIG. 5A, meandering conductorline 530 may undergo compression of, for example, 20.0%. In such anembodiment, meandering conductor line 530 may be located at compressionsurface 520 of FIG. 5A. Thus, it can be appreciated that a malleable andintegrally-illuminated retractor may accommodate bending in a firstdirection, as shown in FIG. 5A, as well as bending in a directionopposite shown in FIG. 5A, which may bring about elongation orcontraction of meandering conductor line 530 by an amount of, forexample, ±20.0%. However, it can be appreciated that other embodimentsmay permit elongation or contraction of a meandering conductor line by,for example, ±25.0%, ±30.0%, etc. Additionally, although only a singlemeandering conductor line 530 has been illustrated in FIG. 5A, it iscontemplated that particular embodiments of a malleable andintegrally-illuminated retractor may utilize two meandering conductivelines, such as shown in embodiment 400 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is an illustration showing extension and compression of surfacesbrought about by bending a portion of malleable and integrallyilluminated a surgical retractor according to embodiment 550. In theembodiment of FIG. 5B, illumination sources 410A, which may be similarin function and construction to illumination sources 410, are shown asadhered to an outer surface of a malleable retractor, which may beelongated or compressed by an amount approximately in the range of20.0%, 30.0%, and so forth when bent in a first direction. In a mannerthat accords with that of FIG. 5A, when the malleable retractor of FIG.5B is bent in an opposite direction, illumination sources 410A maycontract by amount approximately in the range of 20.0%, 30.0%, etc. Itshould be noted that claimed subject matter is intended to embracemalleable, stretchable illumination sources, such as OLEDs, as well asother types of illumination sources.

In particular embodiments, one or more meandering conductive lines of amalleable retractor may comprise an isotropic conductive adhesive, ananisotropic conductive adhesive, or other type of low-temperaturecuring/melting conductive material. For example, a meandering conductorline may comprise a lead-free solder paste alloy of tin and bismuth(SnBi) having a melting point approximately in the range of, forexample, 120° C.-150° C. In other embodiments, one or more meanderingconductive lines of a malleable retractor may comprise a spiral-shapedwire to permit elongation and compression as the malleable retractor isbent during surgical procedures. In additional embodiments, one or moremeandering conductive lines may comprise a conductive ink that may beprinted on or over an insulating layer. It should be noted that claimedsubject matter is intended to embrace all approaches toward achieving aconductive interconnection between end portions of a malleable surgicalretractor, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this regard.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrations showing portions of a malleable andintegrally illuminated a surgical retractor according to embodiments 600and 650. Embodiment 600 shows illumination sources 410 coupled tomeandering conductor line 420 while the portion of the retractor is onlyslightly bent. Embodiment 650 shows illumination sources 410 coupled tomeandering conductor line 420 while the portion of the retractor ismaintained in a relatively flat or unbent state.

FIGS. 7A-7F, is an illustration showing layers of a malleable andintegrally-illuminated surgical retractor according to an embodiment700. In particular embodiments, layers of the malleable andintegrally-illuminated surgical retractor may cooperate to form a firstunbent configuration and a second bent configuration having a bendradius of less than about 2.0 cm. In FIG. 7A, stainless steel strip 710,having a length (L) approximately in the range of 25.0 cm-40.0 cm, awidth of approximately in the range of 2.0 cm-5.0 cm, and a thickness(T) approximately in the range of 0.5 mm-1.0 mm, may be utilized to forma malleable substrate for an integrally-illuminated surgical retractor.In a prototype embodiment, a stainless steel strip, such as stainlesssteel strip 710, having a thickness of approximately 1.0 mm has beenfound to be capable of bending to a radius of approximately 2.0 cm whileinvolving only average force, such as between about 1.0 Newton and 50.0Newton, to bring about such bending. In addition, an approximately 1.0mm thick stainless steel strip, such as that of the prototypeembodiment, has been found to comprise sufficient rigidity so as tomaintain a shape during typical surgical procedures, such as laterallydrawing layers of soft tissue away from an area of an incision, pushingtissue edges apart from one another, separating layers of tissue fromone another, and holding repositioned layers of soft tissue in place fortypical durations of surgical sub-procedures, for example.

It should be noted that for other surgical procedures, a malleable andintegrally-illuminated surgical retractor may comprise a malleablestrip, such as stainless steel strip 710, having a thickness greaterthan approximately 1.0 mm (e.g., 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, etc.) so as to compriseabove average rigidity. Procedures that may utilize and benefit from asurgical retractor having increased rigidity may include separation ofcartilage from bone, for example. In particular embodiments, stainlesssteel strip 710 may comprise a bulk modulus approximately in the rangeof 150 GPa to 250 GPa, and claimed subject matter is not limited in thisrespect.

FIG. 7B shows a thin layer of insulative layer (720), which may beapplied on or over stainless steel strip 710. In embodiments, insulativelayer may comprise TPU or other insulative, stretchable material thatmay remain secured (e.g., disposed, affixed, adhered, overlaid,deposited) to stainless steel strip 710 as the surgical retractor isbent, for example, during surgical procedures. In embodiments,insulative layer 720, which may comprise TPU, for example, may comprisea thickness approximately in the range of 0.1 mm-0.3 mm. In embodiments,thickness of an insulative layer may be selected to provide a suitableinsulator between a meandering line conductor, a conductive ink, or aspiral-shaped conductor disposed, affixed, or deposited on an insulativelayer and an underlying stainless steel substrate. However, in otherembodiments, an insulative layer may comprise a thickness less than 0.1mm or may comprise a thickness greater than 0.30 mm, and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 7C shows conductive pads 732 and 734, which may comprise a thinsheet of copper, for example, electrically connected or coupled (e.g.via soldering) to each other via meandering conductive lines 730. Inparticular embodiments, meandering conductive lines 730, which may besimilar in construction and performance as meandering conductor lines420, may be soldered, for example, to conductive pads 732/734. FIG. 7Dshows stainless steel strip 710 as lying beneath insulative layer 720and meandering conductive line 730. FIG. 7E shows electronics module 740disposed on conductive pads 734. Electronics module 740 may additionallycomprise switch 744, which may permit a surgeon, for example, to controlthe on/off state of one or more illumination sources of a malleablesurgical retractor. In particular embodiments, electronics module 740may allow switch 744 to control levels of brightness of the one or moreillumination sources. In certain embodiments, electronics module 740 mayimplement a “press and hold” feature, in which holding switch 744 in adepressed position to bring about incremental increases in illuminationintensity, which may permit a surgeon to hold a surgical retractor in asteady, fixed position while adjusting illumination intensity.

In embodiments, electronics module 740 may comprise flexible battery742, such as a battery formed from lithium ions, but may comprise aflexible charge storage module or a flexible charge dispensing module,or a combination thereof. However, in particular embodiments, flexiblebattery 742 may utilize any other type of charge storage technology suchas layered capacitors, fuel cells, and/or inductively charged energystorage components, for example. Claimed subject matter is intended toembrace all suitable energy accumulation, energy storage, and energydispensing technology.

FIG. 7F shows a malleable surgical retractor incorporating planarillumination sources 750, which may operate similar to illuminationsources 410 of FIGS. 4, 6A, and 6B, to provide illumination of asurgical field during a surgical procedure. Cover 752 may be formed toenclose electronics module 740, and button 756 may rest on or overswitch 744. Although not specifically identified in FIG. 7F, one or moreexposed portions of meandering conductive lines 730 may be coated withan additional layer of insulating material, such as TPU, which mayoperate to seal the surgical retractor so as to be resistant to liquidsencountered during surgical procedures, cleaning, and so forth.

In particular embodiments, one or more of planar illumination sources750 may be coated with a light-adjusting layer, such as alight-diffusing layer or layer that operates as a scattering medium,such as light-adjusting layer 755. In such an embodiment, alight-adjusting layer may comprise a scattering material, such as afoil, which may operate to redirect a fraction (e.g., approximately inthe range of 3.0%-8.0%) of light generated by the one or more planarillumination sources 750. Redirected light may be dispersed over a wideviewing angle, which may permit a more increased distribution of lightfrom one or more of planar illumination sources 750. In embodiments,light-adjusting layer 755 may comprise phosphorus particles, an organicfluorescent dye, titanium dioxide particles, or may comprise any otherlight-scattering and/or light-adjusting media, and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect.

In particular embodiments, light-adjusting layer 755 may perform alight-focusing operation, in which light from planar illuminationsources, such as sources 750, for example, may be focused towardsregions normal (e.g., in front of) illumination sources 750, so as toconcentrate light towards a particular surgical area of interest.However, claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 7G shows an embodiment in which a single LED 760 is shown ascoupling to optical waveguide 765 such as at an angle that brings abouttotal internal reflection within optical waveguide 765. In such anembodiment, light from LED 760 may be directed towards optical waveguide765, which may comprise a light-adjusting material, such as alight-scattering material. In embodiments, a light-adjusting orlight-scattering material may comprise, for example, phosphorusparticles, titanium dioxide particles, organic fluorescent dye, or otherscattering media, which may function to redirect incoming light towardsa surgical field of interest.

FIG. 7H, shows an embodiment in which an array of LEDs 762 are shown asoperating as an illumination source. Although shown only as an array ofsix LEDs, embodiments may utilize a larger number of LEDs, such as 8LEDs, 10 LEDs, 20 LEDs, and so forth, or may utilize a smaller number ofLEDs, such as 3 LEDs or 4 LEDs, for example. Additionally, althoughshown as an array extending in a single dimension, LEDs 762 may bearranged in a two-dimensional array, for example and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a method of constructing a malleable andintegrally illuminated surgical retractor according to an embodiment800. It should be noted that although blocks 810, 820, and 830 ofembodiment 800 are presented in a particular order, embodiments ofclaimed subject matter may include blocks rearranged into a differentorder, or blocks of a related method comprising blocks in addition toblocks 810, 820, and 830. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, block 810comprises disposing an insulative layer over a malleable strip, whereinthe malleable strip is capable of a first unbent configuration and asecond bent configuration, the second bent configuration comprising abend radius of about 0.5 cm to about 2.0 cm. Block 820 may comprisedisposing a flexible electrical conductor over at least a portion of theinsulative layer. Block 830 may comprise disposing an illuminationsource at a distal portion of the malleable strip and in electricalcommunication with the flexible electrical conductor.

While there has been illustrated and/or described what are presentlyconsidered to be example features, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the relevant art that various other modifications may be madeand/or equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimedsubject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter withoutdeparting from the central concept(s) described herein. Therefore, it isintended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particularexamples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may alsoinclude all aspects falling within appended claims and/or equivalentsthereof.

The terms, “and”, “or”, and “and/or” as used herein may include avariety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in partupon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if usedto associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C,here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in theexclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein maybe used to describe any feature, structure, and/or characteristic in thesingular and/or may be used to describe a plurality or some othercombination of features, structures and/or characteristics. Though, itshould be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimedsubject matter is not limited to this example.

1. A surgical retractor, comprising: a malleable strip having a proximalend and a distal end with a distal portion; an insulative layer disposedover the malleable strip; a flexible electrical conductor deposited onat least a portion of the insulative layer; and a planar illuminationsource disposed over the insulative layer at the distal portion of themalleable strip, the surgical retractor being capable of a first unbentconfiguration and a second bent configuration, the second bentconfiguration comprising a bend radius of less than about 2.0 cm.
 2. Thesurgical retractor claim 1, wherein the insulative layer comprises anelastically deformable material.
 3. The surgical retractor of claim 1,wherein the planar illumination source comprises one or more organiclight-emitting diodes.
 4. The surgical retractor of claim 1, furthercomprising a light-adjusting layer disposed over the planar illuminationsource.
 5. The surgical retractor of claim 4, wherein thelight-adjusting layer comprises a light-diffusing layer.
 6. The surgicalretractor of claim 1, further comprising a flexible charge storagemodule or a charge dispensing module, or a combination thereof, disposedat a handle portion of the surgical retractor, the handle portiondisposed at the proximal end opposite the distal end of the malleablestrip.
 7. The surgical retractor of claim 6, wherein the flexible chargestorage module or the charge dispensing module, or the combinationthereof, comprises a battery.
 8. The surgical retractor of claim 6,further comprising an electrical conductor disposed over the insulativelayer to convey an electrical current from the flexible charge storagemodule or the charge dispensing module, or the combination thereof, tothe planar illumination source.
 9. The surgical retractor of claim 8,wherein the electrical conductor comprises a flexible elongateconductive element having a first longitudinal dimension and a secondlongitudinal dimension being up to about 120.0% of the firstlongitudinal dimension.
 10. The surgical retractor of claim 9, whereinthe flexible elongate conductive element comprises a meanderingconductive element, a spiral-shaped element, a conductive ink, or anycombination thereof.
 11. The surgical retractor of claim 8, furthercomprising a control element to regulate electrical power conveyed fromthe flexible charge storage module or the charge dispensing module, orthe combination thereof, to the planar illumination source.
 12. Thesurgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the second bent configurationcomprises less than about 1.0 cm.
 13. The surgical retractor of claim 1,wherein a combined thickness of the malleable strip, the insulativelayer, and the planar illumination source comprises less than about 2.0mm.
 14. The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the malleable stripcomprises steel, steel alloy, aluminum, titanium, plastic, ceramic,fluidized metal, or any combination thereof.
 15. A method of forming asurgical retractor, comprising: disposing an insulative layer over amalleable strip, the malleable strip to be capable of a first unbentconfiguration and a second bent configuration, the second bentconfiguration comprising a bend radius of about 0.5 cm to about 2.0 cm;depositing a flexible electrical conductor on at least a portion of theinsulative layer; and disposing an illumination source at a distalportion of the malleable strip and in electrical communication with theflexible electrical conductor.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: disposing a light-adjusting layer over the illuminationsource.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: disposing aflexible charge storage module or a charge dispensing module, or acombination thereof, at a proximal portion of the malleable strip, theproximal portion opposite the distal portion.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein the flexible electrical conductor comprises a flexibleelongate conductive element comprising a meandering conductive line, aspiral-shaped conductor, a conductive ink, or any combination thereof.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the flexible elongate conductiveelement has a first longitudinal dimension and a second longitudinaldimension of up to about 120.0% of the first longitudinal dimension. 20.The method of claim 15, wherein the illumination source comprises one ormore of organic light-emitting diodes, one or more light-emittingdiodes, one or more bio-luminescent sources, or any combination thereof.21. A surgical retractor, comprising: a malleable strip; a malleableplanar illumination source secured to the malleable strip, the malleableplanar illumination source and the malleable strip capable ofcooperatively bending to a bend radius of less than about 2.0 cm; and aconductive material coupled to the malleable strip, the conductivematerial being capable of elongation by a factor of about 20.0%.
 22. Thesurgical retractor of claim 21, further comprising: a light-diffusingpanel disposed over the malleable planar illumination source.